10 – Discoveries

10 – Discoveries

Sarah was immensely preoccupied throughout the take off of the plane, which was why that it wasn't until they'd been in the air for an hour that she noticed they were traveling west instead of east. " Mr. Irons, would you mind telling me why we seem to be headed in the wrong direction?"

"You finally noticed." Across from her Irons responded with some of his usual arrogance, the first he'd shown that day. "I'm afraid that we will be making a detour. I have business to conduct in New Zealand and much as I hate to admit it, I need your help." All of a sudden Irons voice seemed to waver slightly as he began to treat the matter with kid gloves. "If you'll listen to me please. I'll explain everything; once we land you will have the choice of working with me or returning to New York. I will of course cover the airfare."

It suddenly dawned on Sarah that perhaps this was why Irons had actually been civil to her today, unfortunately this did nothing to ease her anger. She was about to make him fully aware of her displeasure when the Witchblade tightened and warmed against her wrist in warning causing her to remain silent and give Irons the opportunity to talk.

"There is an auction of sorts occurring on the black market. The CEO of Excelsior Enterprise's Biotechnology branch has come across something one of his lead scientists created. He hasn't told anyone exactly what it is – only that it is a bio-weapon like nothing anyone has ever seen it's something that everyone in the industry wants. In the wrong hands this could be very dangerous, which is why I wish to procure it. Unfortunately I'm confined to this wheel chair for at least another week, and while I'll be ready for the final meeting I won't be for the social diners and meetings held before then. I need someone to attend in my name. Ian understands the stakes but he severely lacks the social talents needed for this task. Frankly there isn't anyone else I trust, which leaves you. However, there will be a lot of people there who spend there lives conducting illegal activities, if you decide to come then it will be on the condition that you leave behind your job and forget that you're a cop." Irons looked closely at Sarah as she was given this information, and in his eyes she either wasn't listening, or didn't care. Finally a good while after he'd spoken she finally replied.

"It's been a long day, I'll tell you what I think tomorrow." And with that she seemingly dismissed the subject turning her face to the window and instantly falling asleep.

Candle light illuminated the room, blackout curtains kept the light in. On a bed in a sparsely furnished room two people lay, the blankets drawn tightly around them in an effort to keep out the cold. Neither of them could be seen clearly, they huddled too closely together. The man stroking the woman's long brown hair. "Love?"

"Hum?" The mans voice dripped with sleepiness, in all likely hood he was just about to drift off.

"Have you ever thought about children?" He didn't reply for a second, but then nodded.

"Yes, I have. I've asked myself what kind of world I would be bringing a child a into, and whether I'd be cursing that child, or blessing it." The woman looked up at him, a question in her eyes. "Lis, love… the world is mad with war, the Herr is killing off everyone who doesn't fit into his definition of perfect. If he wins this war and I had a child, he would kill it if it didn't have my hair and eyes. If he looses this war? Then my child will have to grow up without a father. I don't see that as much of a choice my love. Not much of one at all." The woman stayed silent a minute, then finally spoke up.

"Then I guess this isn't the right time to tell you I'm pregnant." The man was shocked for a second, but only a second because an instant later a smile covered his face.

"No, it's not. But that doesn't matter. A child is a child it seems my dear, that we now have a family." Relief seemed to flood her face, and an instant later they kiss.

The scene changes as classical music floods the room and it changes into a bright well-lit, well-furnished bedroom. The woman is now dressed in a traveling suit, checking a suitcase over one last time as sunlight streams in behind her. "Are you sure this is the right thing to do Beth?" In the doorway stands an Asian woman with fair features and softly curling hair.

"Yes Yien Yien I do. I realize that you just got back from your sister wedding and that it must be difficult for me to leave you like this, but you are fully capable of taking care of my daughter and I have every faith in you." The woman smiles and picks her gloves up from the dresser and pins her hat into place as the Asian woman walks into the room and shuts off the record player.

"That's not what I meant Beth, you know that." Beth looks down at her hands for a second, then peers up determination flooding her eyes.

"There are things I need to know Yien Yien, things only he can tell me, I have to do this." She smiled sadly then turned around and gave the other woman a hug. "I'll be ok. I promise."

"Mommy! Mommy!" A little girl of maybe six ran into the room, clutching a doll. The woman turned to her in time for the girl to fling herself into her mother's arms. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you more my love." Taking the girl by the hand, The woman picked up one suitcase, letting Yien Yien take the other once downstairs a man in a black driver's suit took them both and the woman once again said her good-byes.

Walking down the stairs she extended her hand to a tall man with startling white hair. The man was Kenneth Irons.

Startling awake Sarah's dream hit her in a jumble, again the face of Bronte's lover eluded her and only the last scene stuck out clearly. Was it a sign? An indication as to how she should answer Irons? She furrowed her brow in confusion glancing outside she saw that it was still daylight, either that or they had flown through enough time zones to have traveled from evening to morning. Either way in the gleam of the sunshine she found herself thinking more clearly, and at last she made her decision.

***

A few feet away Irons stood looking at her, he saw the change in her posture, and immediately knew that she had decided. A smile crept towards his lips; at last things had indeed fallen into place. (You see Sarah, I can not control your dreams, but I can control when you dream.) Picking up his wineglass he gave himself a toast. It was job well done he now had only her confirmation to await, because somehow he already knew her choice.

***

And at last, we get to the true plot behind it all. Believe it or not the last nine chapters have been setting the scene, it won't be long now till I get around to answering a few questions. Unfortunately the school year has now started and being a student I will now have that to concern myself with that. I'll still try to post daily but the parts may start becoming shorter. Sorry, life can be a real b****.